Cushion-tire.



t TED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

DEXTER J'. THAYER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

CUSHION-TIRE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Da-1. 28, 1911.

Application filed September 1, 1910. Serial No. 579,974.

hereinafter set forth a. solid rubber tired-d wheel, more especially designed. for automo biles, possessing the resilient qualities ,of pneumatic tires without being subject to injury by punctures.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a cushion tire which is comparatively simple -in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, possessing the necessary resiliency to absorb shock, etlicient in its use, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other kobjects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangementl of parts as hereinafter 4more speciically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can beresorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended;

In describing the invent-ion in detail, ref-4 erence is had to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts .throughout the several views,andin which z- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view broken away ofla tire in accordance with this invention, Fig. 2 is a transverse section, Fig.V l3 is a perspective view broken away of a portion of the rim, Fig. `4 is a detail illustrating one end of a cushioning. sprino', Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View of a modi ed form', and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the rim used in connection with the form shown in Fi'g. 5.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawing, 1 denotes the body portion of a channel-shaped rim provided with a plurality of sockets, only one shown and which is indicated by thereference character 2, and which has secured therein the outerend of a spoke 3. The body' portion ofthe rim at each side terminates in an outwardly extending ange 4 which merges in the horizontal portion 5 of an angle-shaped extension. The vertical portion of each of said extensions is indicated by the reference" character 6 and is of a length greater than the horizontal portion. The-'body portion of the rim has'its outer face provided with a circumferentially extending groove 7 in-which is seated a resilient buffer 8 having its outer terminus in alinement with the horizontal portions 5 of the angle-shaped extensions. The inner face of each o f the flanges 4 is provided with a series of pockets 9 for a purpose to be presently referred to. The pockets 9 are located along the inner face of veach of the flanges 4.

Arranged within the rim is a circumferentially extending series of sets of cushioning elements, each set consist-ing of a plurality of springs extending transversely with respect to the rim. The'springs of each set are indicated by the reference characters 10, 11 and 12. The spring 10 incloses the spring 11 and the spring 11 incloses the spring 12. Each of the springs of each set is substantially bowshaped in contour and each is spaced from the other as indicated at 13. Each of the springs at each .end is bent in a curvilinear manner, as at 14 and then laterally as at 15 and then inwardly as at 16. The laterally extendingportions 15 of the springs at 4each end thereof abut and the inwardly extending portions of the springs also abut and project into the pocket 9 and are fixedly, secured together by a pin 17 The laterally-extending portions 16 of the spring. 10 lare seated upon thefree terminus of the flange 4 and also partly extend upon the horizontal portions 5 of the angle-shaped extensions. The spring 10 which is 4the longest spring is so disposed as to have a space 18v formed therebetween and the inner face of the vertical portions of the angleshaped extensions. Y

Mounted in the rim and between the vert-ical portions of the angleeshaped extensions,

Aas well 4as abutting against the `inner face of said vertical portions and bearing against the spring 10 of each set is a solid resilient tread-piece 19. The spring l0 acts as a means to cushion the tread-piece 19, and when pressure is applied' to .the tread-piece and overcomes the tension of the spring 10,

the latter is forced inwardly against the spring 11 which then assists the spring 10 in cushioning the tread, if pressure should overcome the springs 10- and 11', the sprlng 11 is torced against the spring 12 and the latter is then used in connection with the springs 1G and 1l for cushioning purposes. By providing the three springs in the manner as shown, the spring 11 is used to reinforce the spring 10 and the spring 12 used to reinforce the spring 11, when the spring l2 is used to reinforce the spring 11 then these two latter springs reinforce the spring 10. The sets of cushioning elements maintain the tread-piece 19 extended and are utilized not only to absorb shock when the wheel travels over uneven surfaces or meetsI with an obstruction, but also constitute means for cushioning the tread and perform the function of a pneumatic tube. The butter 8 is utilized as a `resilient cushion or abutment for the sets of springs when excessive pressure is applied to the tread so as to force the sets of springs inwardly between the flanges l.

Referring to Figs. and G ot the drawing, the rim is indicated by the reference character 2O and is substantially channel-shaped in contour and has the side walls 21, 22 cut away to provide a circumferentially extending series of pockets 23 provided with recesses 24tin the bottoms thereof in which are mounted bearing rollers 25. rfhe pockets areof less depth than the depth of eachv of the walls ot' the rim and that portion of vthe inner face of each of the walls which projects 'outwardly of the pockets 23 is beveled, as at 26. Arranged within the rim 2O is a series of sets ot cushioning members, each set consisting of a pair ot' bow-shaped springs27 arranged in close contact with each other and having the ends 28 thereof extending in the pockets 23. Mounted against the outer spring of each set and bearing against the beveled portions' 26 of the walls of the rim is a resilient solid tread member 29 cushioned through thc medium to the tread 29, the springs 27 of the springs 27. Then pressure is applied .are compressed whereby the ends of the springs will ride upon the'bearingrollers 25. A. resilient butter 30 is "secured in' the rim Jfor the springs 27.

By setting up the tread as shown in Fig.

@epics of this patent may be obtained for 1 and also in the manner as shown in Fig. 5, an air chamber is provided, the chamber in the torni shown in Fig. 1 being designated by the reference character 31 and the chamber in the form shown in Fig. by the reference character As the tread members 19 snugly engage the angle-shaped extensions and the tread member 29 snugly engages the beveled portions 26 of the Walls of the rim va substantially air-tight chamber is provided as is obvious.

What I claim is 1. Atire comprising a channelshaped rim having the inner faceof each of its side walls provided with a set of circumferein tially-extending pockets, each oit the pockets oi less height than the height-,otI its respective wall and arranged inwardly et' the outer terminus oi" the wall, a circumferentially extending series oit' cushioning. elements mounted in the rim, said elements extending transversely with respect to the rim and having the ends thereof projecting 1n said pockets, ,and a resilient solid tread member mounted in the rim and 'engaging the cushioning elements.

2. A tire comprising a channel-shaped rim havlngthe inner face ot each of its side walls provided with a set of circum'erentiallyextending pockets, each of thepockets of less height than the height of its respective wall and arranged inwardly ot the outer terminus of the wall, a circui'nferentially* extending series of cushioning elements, each of said elements consisting of a plurality of su pei-posed resilient members extending transversely with respect to the rim and having the ends thereof projecting in said pockets, a resilient solid tread member mounted in and snugly engaging the inner 'face of the walls of the channel and abutting againsth said cushioning elements, and a resilient butter seated in the rim for said cushioning elements.

In testimony whereof I aiiix' my signature in the presence `of two witnesses.

DEXTER J. THAYER. Witnesses N. Lewis BOGAN, Eva A. MILNE.

fivecents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C. 

